Electricity transmission cooling system

ABSTRACT

A cooling system includes a first section of high temperature superconducting (HTS) cable configured to receive a first flow of coolant and to permit the first flow of coolant to flow therethrough. The system may further include a second section of high temperature superconducting (HTS) cable configured to receive a second flow of coolant and to permit the second flow of coolant to flow therethrough. The system may further include a cable joint configured to couple the first section of HTS cable and the second section of HTS cable. The cable joint may be in fluid communication with at least one refrigeration module and may include at least one conduit configured to permit a third flow of coolant between said cable joint and said at least one refrigeration module through a coolant line separate from said first and second sections of HTS cable. Other embodiments and implementations are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was made with Government support under Agreement No.:DE-FC26-07NT43240. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to cooling systems and, more particularly, tocryogenic cooling systems for high temperature superconductor (“HTS”)devices, in particular HTS power cables.

BACKGROUND

Superconductivity refers to a state of materials in which the electricalresistance becomes zero when the material is cooled to a sufficientlylow temperature, referred to as the critical temperature. One type ofsuperconductor, referred to as a high temperature superconductor (HTS),has a critical temperature in excess of the boiling point of liquidnitrogen of 77° K. at atmospheric pressure.

The use of superconductive materials and, in particular, superconductingcables, is advantageous because of the elimination of resistive losses.As a result, superconducting cables are being designed, built and testedfor use in industrial applications, such as power transmission systems.

High temperature superconductors may be used to constructsuperconducting power cables, which are capable of serving very largepower requirements at medium voltage ratings. To make a HTS cableoperate properly, cryogenic cooling systems with circulating sub-cooledliquid nitrogen are often used to maintain the HTS cable in asuperconducting state during normal operation.

Conventionally, cryogenic refrigeration systems are used to cool colddielectric superconducting cables to a temperature (˜70K), which may bemuch lower than the HTS critical temperature (90K). This may allow thetransmission of a higher critical current since the critical currentincreases dramatically with a decrease in the operating temperature.Such systems may contain a refrigeration unit, a circulating pump and acooling loop for providing a refrigerant, or coolant, such as liquidnitrogen, at a temperature much lower than the critical temperature. Therefrigeration unit is a mechanical refrigeration device that producescooling power at cryogenic temperature. The coolant, e.g. liquidnitrogen, flows from the refrigeration unit into the cooling loop via acirculating pump. The coolant circulates through the cooling loopextracting heat from the HTS cable, and then returns to therefrigeration system for removal of the heat and circulates back to thecooling loop. The cooling loop could be a tube external to thesuperconducting cable assembly or the hollow center formed by thesuperconducting cable former.

One cooling station and one cooling loop are often used forsuperconducting cable. Unfortunately, as a result of existing coolingsystem designs, the length of an HTS cable may be limited due to limitedpressure head and cooling power produced by a single cooling station.These systems may also require that refrigeration systems be tailored toindividual cable projects, which may result in an excessively highrefrigeration system cost.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In an embodiment of the present disclosure a cooling system includes afirst section of high temperature superconducting (HTS) cable configuredto receive a flow of coolant flowing at a first rate and to permit theflow of coolant to flow therethrough. The flow of coolant may undergo atemperature increase as it passes through the HTS cable. The coolingsystem may further include a first refrigeration module configured toreceive the flow of coolant from the HTS cable and to lower thetemperature of the flow of coolant. The first refrigeration module maybe configured to divide the flow of coolant into a plurality of coolantstreams, each coolant stream flowing at a second rate. The coolingsystem may also include a second section of HTS cable configured toreceive at least one of the plurality of coolant streams. The secondsection of HTS cable may be configured to permit the at least one of theplurality of coolant streams to flow therethrough. The cooling systemmay additionally include a third section of HTS cable configured toreceive the at least one of the plurality of coolant streams. The thirdsection of HTS cable may be configured to permit the at least one of theplurality of coolant streams to flow therethrough. The plurality ofcoolant streams may be combined to form the flow of coolant flowing atthe first rate.

One or more of the following features may be included. A secondrefrigeration module configured to receive the at least one of theplurality of coolant streams from the second section of HTS cable.

A third refrigeration module configured to receive at least one of theplurality of coolant streams from the third section of HTS cable. Theplurality of coolant streams may be output from the second and thirdrefrigeration modules and combined to form the flow of coolant.

At least one pressure control unit may be operatively connected witheach section of HTS cable. The at least one pressure control unit may beconfigured to maintain a consistent operating pressure throughout eachsection of HTS cable.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a cable jointconfigured to couple a first section of high temperature superconducting(HTS) cable and a second section of HTS cable is provided. The cablejoint may include an exterior layer and an interior layer operativelyconnected with the exterior layer. The interior and exterior layers maydefine a space therebetween. The cable joint may further include aconductive lead configured to electrically connect a portion of HTS wireassociated with the first section of HTS cable with a portion of HTSwire associated with the second section of HTS cable. The cable jointmay include at least one conduit configured to permit a flow of coolantbetween the cable joint and at least one refrigeration module through acoolant line separate from the first and second sections of HTS cable.

One or more of the following features may be included. The at least oneconduit may include a first conduit configured to supply a first flow ofcoolant to said at least one refrigeration module and a second conduitconfigured to receive said first flow of coolant from said at least onerefrigeration module following at least one of re-cooling andre-pressurization. The space between said interior and exterior layermay be pressurized. The interior layer and the conductive lead maydefine a passageway configured to permit a first flow of coolanttherethrough. The conductive lead may include at least one openingconfigured to permit a second flow of coolant therethrough. The firstand second coolant flows may be combined and delivered to at least onerefrigeration module. In some embodiments the conductive lead may beconstructed out of copper.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure a cooling system isprovided. The cooling system may include a first section of hightemperature superconducting (HTS) cable configured to receive a firstflow of coolant and to permit the first flow of coolant to flowtherethrough. The cooling system may also include a second section ofhigh temperature superconducting (HTS) cable configured to receive asecond flow of coolant and to permit the second flow of coolant to flowtherethrough. The cooling system may also include a cable jointconfigured to couple the first section of HTS cable and the secondsection of HTS cable. The cable joint may be in fluid communication withat least one refrigeration module. The cable joint may include at leastone conduit configured to permit a third flow of coolant between thecable joint and the at least one refrigeration module through a coolantline separate from the first and second sections of HTS cable.

One or more of the following features may be included. The cable jointmay include a conductive lead configured to electrically connect aportion of HTS wire associated with the first section of HTS cable witha portion of HTS wire associated with the second section of HTS cable.The at least one refrigeration module may be configured to receive acombined flow of coolant from the cable joint and to perform at leastone of re-cooling and re-pressurizing the combined flow of coolant.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for coolinghigh temperature superconducting (HTS) cable is provided. The method mayinclude receiving a first flow of coolant at a first section of HTScable and permitting the first flow of coolant to flow therethrough. Themethod may also include receiving a second flow of coolant at a secondsection of HTS cable and permitting the second flow of coolant to flowtherethrough. The method may additionally include coupling the firstsection of HTS cable and the second section of HTS cable via a cablejoint. The cable joint may be in fluid communication with at least onerefrigeration module and may include at least one conduit configured topermit a third flow of coolant between the cable joint and the at leastone refrigeration module through a coolant line separate from the firstand second sections of HTS cable.

One or more of the following features may be included. Electricallyconnecting a portion of HTS wire associated with the first section ofHTS cable with a portion of HTS wire associated with the second sectionof HTS cable via the cable joint. Receiving a combined flow of coolantfrom the cable joint at the at least one refrigeration module. Therefrigeration module may be configured to perform at least one ofre-cooling and re-pressurizing the combined flow of coolant.

Maintaining a constant pressure throughout each of the sections of HTScable via at least one pressure control unit. The pressure control unitmay be configured to receive and/or dispense a quantity of coolant inthe event of a fault condition.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a copper-cored HTS cable systeminstalled within a utility power grid;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the copper-cored HTS cable of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a hollow-core HTS cable;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram a cooling system for HTS cable;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cooling system for use with HTScable;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a cooling system for use with HTS cableincluding the cable joint of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cable joint for use with a coolingsystem for use with HTS cable; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of cooling HTS cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of a utility power grid 10 may include ahigh temperature superconductor (HTS) cable 12. HTS cable 12 may behundreds or thousands of meters in length and may provide a relativelyhigh current/low resistance electrical path for the delivery ofelectrical power from generation stations (not shown) or imported fromremote utilities (not shown).

The cross-sectional area of HTS cable 12 may only be a fraction of thecross-sectional area of a conventional copper core cable and may becapable of carrying the same amount of electrical current or more. Asdiscussed above, within the same cross-sectional area, an HTS cable mayprovide three to five times the current-carrying capacity of aconventional AC cable; and up to ten times the current-carrying capacityof a conventional DC cable. As HTS technology matures, these ratios mayincrease.

As will be discussed below in greater detail, HTS cable 12 includes HTSwire, which may be capable of handling as much as one-hundred-fiftytimes the electrical current of similarly-sized copper wire or more.Accordingly, by using a relatively small quantity of HTS wire (asopposed to a large quantity of copper conductors stranded within thecore of a traditional AC cable), an HTS power cable may be constructedthat is capable of providing three to five times as much electricalpower as an equivalently-sized traditional copper-conductor power cable.

HTS cable 12 may be connected within a transmission grid segment 14 thatcarries voltages at a level of e.g., 138 kV and extends from gridsegment 14 to grid segment 16, which may receive this voltage andtransform it to a lower level of e.g., 69 kV. For example, transmissiongrid segment 14 may receive power at 765 kV (via overhead line or cable18) and may include a 138 kV substation 20. 138 kV substation 20 mayinclude a 765 kV/138 kV transformer (not shown) for stepping down the765 kV power received on cable 18 to 138 kV. This “stepped-down” 138 kVpower may then be provided via e.g., HTS cable 12 to transmission gridsegment 16. Transmission grid segment 16 may include 69 kV substation24, which may include a 138 kV/69 kV transformer (not shown) forstepping down the 138 kV power received via HTS cable 12 to 69 kV power,which may be distributed to e.g., devices 26, 28, 30, 32. Examples ofdevices 26, 28, 30, 32 may include, but are not limited to 34.5 kVsubstations.

The voltage levels discussed above are for illustrative purposes onlyand are not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure. Accordingly,this disclosure is equally applicable to various voltage and currentlevels in both transmission and distribution systems. Likewise, thisdisclosure is equally applicable to non-utility applications such asindustrial power distribution or vehicle power distribution (e.g. ships,trains, aircraft, and spacecraft).

One or more circuit breakers 34, 36 may be connected on e.g., each endof HTS cable 12 and may allow HTS cable 12 to be quickly disconnectedfrom utility power grid 10. Fault management system 38 may provideover-current protection for HTS cable 12 to ensure that HTS cable 12 ismaintained at a temperature that is below the point at which HTS cable12 may be damaged.

Fault management system 38 may provide such over-current protection bymonitoring the current flowing in the segment of the utility grid towhich HTS cable 12 is coupled. For example, fault management system 38may sense the current passing through 138 kV substation 20 (using e.g.,current sensor 40) and may control the operation of breakers 34, 36based, at least in part, on the signal provided by current sensor 40.

In this example, HTS cable 12 may be designed to withstand a faultcurrent as high as 51 kA with a duration of 200 ms (i.e., 12 cycles of60 Hz power). The details of fault management system 38 are described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/459,167, issued Dec. 4, 2007 as U.S.Pat. No. 7,304,826 entitled Fault Management of HTS Power Cable.Typically, in order to withstand this level of fault current, the HTScable may contain a significant amount of copper, which may help tocarry the high fault current and thus protect the HTS wires. The copperis present to protect the HTS cable, but it has no significant currentlimiting effect because of its very low resistance.

Referring also to FIG. 2, there is shown a typical embodiment of asingle-phase copper-cored HTS cable 12 that may include stranded coppercore 100 surrounded in radial succession by first HTS layer 102, secondHTS layer 104, high voltage dielectric insulation layer 106, coppershield layer 108, HTS shield layer 110, coolant passage 112, innercryostat wall 114, thermal insulation 116, vacuum space 118, outercryostat wall 120 and an outer cable sheath 122. HTS layer 102 and HTSlayer 104 may also be referred to as “phase conductors”. Copper shieldlayer 108 may alternatively be positioned on the outside of HTS shieldlayer 110. During operation, a refrigerant or liquid cryogen (e.g.,liquid nitrogen, not shown) may be supplied from an external coolantsource (not shown) and may be circulated within and along the length ofcoolant passage 112. All components of the cable are designed so as toenable flexibility of HTS cable 12. For example, stranded copper core100 (upon which first HTS layer 102 and second HTS layer 104 are wound)is flexible. Accordingly, by utilizing flexible stranded copper core100, an HTS cable 12 is realized that is continuously flexible along itslength. Optionally, a corrugated metal former may be used to support thehelically wound HTS wires, providing continuous flexibility along thelength of the cable.

Additionally/alternatively, additional coaxial HTS and insulation layersmay be utilized. For example, more than two layers of HTS wires may beused for a single phase. Also, three groups of HTS layers separated byinsulation layers (not shown) may be utilized to carry three-phasepower. An example of such a cable arrangement is the Triax HTS Cablearrangement proposed by Ultera (i.e., a joint venture of SouthwireCompany of Carrollton, Ga. and nkt cables of Cologne, Germany). Otherembodiments of HTS cable 12 may include, but are not limited to: warmand/or cold dielectric configurations; single-phase vs. multi-phaseconfigurations; and various shielding configurations (e.g., no shieldand cryostat-based shielding).

Copper core 100 and copper shield layer 108 may be configured to carryfault currents (e.g., fault current 124) that may appear within cable12. For example, when fault current 124 appears within cable 12, thecurrent within HTS layers 102, 104 may dramatically increase to a levelthat exceeds the critical current level (i.e., I_(c)) of HTS layers 102,104, which may cause HTS layers 102, 104 to lose their superconductingcharacteristics (i.e., HTS layers 102, 104 may go “normal”). A typicalvalue for critical current level I_(c) is 4,242 A_(peak) for a cablerated at 3000 A_(rms) (where A_(rms) refers to root-mean-square Amperesof current).

The critical current level in HTS materials may depend upon the choiceof electric field level. Conventionally, the critical current levelI_(c) is defined as an electric field level of 1 microvolt/cm, thoughlower values are also used. However, typical superconductors exhibit atransition region between the zero-resistance (i.e., superconducting)and fully-resistive (i.e., non-superconducting) states as a function ofcurrent level. Conductor losses resulting from operation in thistransition region are below those of the fully-resistive state.Therefore, in practice, portions of conductor in the HTS cable mayswitch to the fully resistive state at a critical current level that isa factor (“f”) times the conventional critical current level I_(c)defined by the 1 microvolt/cm criterion. In meander line wires with YBCOthin films, this factor was determined to be approximately 2, but it wasobserved to vary somewhat with time. See Switching Behavior of YBCO ThinFilm Conductors in Resistive Fault Current Limiters by H.-P. Kraemer etal., IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 13, No. 2,June 2003, pp. 2044-7. The f-factor for HTS wires with similar YBCO thinfilms is anticipated to be in a similar range (e.g., 1-4).

Accordingly, when the product of the critical current level (as definedabove) and the f-factor is exceeded, the resistance of HTS layers 102,104 may increase significantly and may become comparatively high (i.e.,when compared to copper core 100). As the current passing through aplurality of parallel conductors is distributed inversely with respectto the resistance of the individual conductors, the majority of faultcurrent 124 may be diverted to copper core 100, which is connected inparallel with HTS layers 102, 104. This transmission of fault current124 through copper core 100 may continue until: fault current 124subsides; or the appropriate circuit breakers (e.g., circuit breakers34, 36) interrupt the transmission of fault current 124 through HTScable 12.

Overheating of the HTS conductors in HTS cable 12 may be avoided by twobenefits provided by the copper core 100. First, by redirecting faultcurrent 124 (or at least a portion thereof) from HTS layers 102, 104 tocopper core 100, the overheating of the HTS conductors in HTS cable 12may be avoided. And second the added heat capacity of copper core 100reduces the temperature rise in HTS layers 102 and 104. In the eventthat fault current 124 (or at least a portion thereof) was notredirected from HTS layers 102, 104 to copper core 100, fault current124 may heat the HTS conductors in HTS cable 12 significantly due to thehigh resistance of HTS layers 102, 104, which may result in theformation of gaseous “bubbles” of liquid nitrogen (i.e., due to liquidnitrogen being converted from a liquid state to a gaseous state withincoolant passage 112). Unfortunately, the formation of gaseous “bubbles”of liquid nitrogen may reduce the dielectric strength of the dielectriclayer and may result in voltage breakdown and the destruction of HTScable 12. For warm dielectric cable configurations (not shown), faultcurrent not redirected away from HTS layers 102, 104 may simply overheatand destroy HTS layers 102, 104.

Examples of HTS cable 12 may include but are not limited to HTS cablesavailable from Nexans of Paris France; Sumitomo Electric Industries,Ltd., of Osaka, Japan; and Ultera (i.e., a joint venture of SouthwireCompany of Carrollton, Ga. and NKT cables of Cologne, Germany).

While copper core 100 redirects fault currents (or portions thereof)around HTS layers 102, 104, there are disadvantages to utilizing such an“internal” copper core. For example, copper core 100 may require HTScable 12 to be physically larger and heavier, which may result inincreased cost and greater heat retention within HTS cable 12.Accordingly, more refrigeration may be required to compensate for theadditional heat retention, resulting in higher overall system andoperating costs. Moreover, the increased heat capacity of copper core100, and the thermal resistance between the HTS layers 102, 104, and thecoolant due to the dielectric layer may greatly increase recovery timesshould the energy of a fault current increase the temperature beyond thepoint where superconductivity can be maintained in HTS layers 102, 104.For example, in the event that a fault current is redirected throughcopper core 100, it may take several hours for the refrigeration system(not shown) to cool down HTS cable 12 to within the appropriateoperating temperature range (e.g., 65-77° Kelvin). The time required tocool down HTS cable 12 to within the operating range of the cable iscommonly referred to as the “recovery time”, which may be required byutilities to be as short as possible (e.g. seconds). Alternatively, astandalone fault current limiter may be used with HTS cable 12 to limitfault currents; however this has the disadvantage of requiring anotherlarge and costly piece of electrical equipment to be installed in thesubstation linked to HTS cable 12. As discussed above, the details offault management system 38 are described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/459,167, issued Dec. 4, 2007 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,304,826 entitledFault Management of HTS Power Cable.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a flexible, hollow-core HTS cable150, according to this disclosure. While HTS cable 150 may includevarious components of prior art copper-cored HTS cable 12, HTS cable 150does not include stranded copper core 100 (FIG. 2), which was replacedwith a flexible hollow core (e.g., inner coolant passage 152). Anexample of inner coolant passage 152 may include, but is not limited to,a flexible, corrugated stainless steel tube. All copper shield layersare removed as well. A refrigerant (e.g., liquid nitrogen) may flowthrough inner coolant passage 152.

In a fashion similar to that of copper-cored HTS cable 12, inner coolantpassage 152 may be surrounded in radial succession by first HTS layer102, second HTS layer 104 (usually helically wound with the oppositehelicity of layer 102), high voltage dielectric insulation layer 106,HTS shield layer 110, coolant passage 112, inner cryostat wall 114,thermal insulation 116, vacuum space 118, outer cryostat wall 120 and anouter cable sheath 122. During operation, a refrigerant (e.g., liquidnitrogen, not shown) may be supplied from an external coolant source(not shown) and may be circulated within and along the length of coolantpassage 112 and inner coolant passage 152. An alternative coolant (e.g.,liquid neon or liquid hydrogen) may be used in the case of lowertransition temperature materials like MgB₂.

As with HTS cable 12, all components of HTS cable 150 are designed so asto enable flexibility continuously along the length of the cable. Forexample and as discussed above, inner coolant passage 152 (upon whichfirst HTS layer 102 and second HTS layer 104 are wound) is flexible.Accordingly, by utilizing flexible inner coolant passage 152, a flexibleHTS cable 150 is realized.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is a shown a cooling system 200 for usewith HTS cable. Cooling system 200 may include, for example, threeseparate HTS cables 202A, 202B, and 202C. Each HTS cable may includeboth a cold termination and a high voltage termination on each end ofthe cable. For example, HTS cable 202A may include cold termination 204Acoupled with high voltage termination 206A on a first end of the cable,and cold termination 208A coupled with high voltage termination 210A ona second end of the cable. HTS cables 202B and 202C may include similarconfigurations, as depicted in FIG. 4.

Each of HTS cables 202A, 202B, and 202C may be connected with acryogenic refrigeration module 212, which may be connected with eachcable via supply line 214 and return line 216. Any number of lines maybe employed. Cryogenic refrigeration module 212 may also be connectedwith cryogenic storage container 218, which may be configured to storelarge quantities of a cryogenic coolant, such as liquid nitrogen.Cryogenic refrigeration module 212 may include various control systems(e.g., Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)) that may beconfigured to control the distribution of liquid nitrogen from liquidnitrogen storage container 218 to each of HTS cables 202A, 202B, and202C. This system may also be used to monitor the temperature and/orpressure of HTS cables 202A-C and each cryogenic refrigeration module aswell as for numerous other cooling, heating, or pressurizationfunctions.

Cryogenic refrigeration module 212 may include various commerciallyavailable cryogenic refrigeration systems. Such systems may include, butare not limited to, systems provided by Air Liquide of Paris, France andPraxair, Inc. of Danbury, Conn. Moreover, it should be noted that thecryogenic coolant used in the embodiments described herein is notlimited to liquid nitrogen. Other suitable coolants may include, but arenot limited to, natural gas, gaseous helium, hydrogen, liquified air,gas mixtures of oxygen and nitrogen in various percentages other thanwhat occur in air, and neon.

In some embodiments, HTS cables 202A, 202B, and 202C may be single phasecables, such as those described above with reference to FIG. 2. However,other HTS cable designs may also be used. For example, and as describedabove, three groups of HTS layers separated by insulation layers may beutilized to carry three-phase power. An example of such a cablearrangement is the Triax HTS Cable arrangement described above. Thesecable arrangements may be employed as well.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of a cooling system 300for use with HTS cable is shown. Cooling system 300 may include aplurality of cryogenic refrigeration modules 302, 304 and 306. Cryogenicrefrigeration modules 302, 304 and 306 may be similar in configurationto those described in FIG. 4 and/or any of the embodiments describedherein. In some embodiments, the plurality of cryogenic refrigerationmodules may be standardized modules, which may operate in accordancewith different operating conditions.

Each of refrigeration modules 302, 304 and 306 may be operativelyconnected with an associated pump to assist in the transport ofcryogenic coolant throughout system 300. For example, module 302 may beconnected with pump 308, module 304 with pump 310, and module 306 withpump 312. Although FIG. 5 depicts three distinct cryogenic refrigerationmodules any number of modules and/or pumps may be used without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, refrigeration modules 302, 304 and 306 may beconfigured to receive cryogenic coolant from various sections of HTScable and/or at least one pressure control unit. These pressure controlunits are depicted in FIG. 5 as reference numerals 314, 316 and 318.Each of pressure control units 314, 316 and 318 may be configured tomaintain a consistent operating pressure throughout system 300 and toreceive and/or dispense cryogenic coolant in order to maintain aconstant pressure as the temperature of the system changes. For example,each pressure control unit may be configured to receive an inflow ofcryogenic coolant from a particular section of HTS cable in the event ofa fault condition. That is, the corresponding increase in temperaturethat may occur as a result of a fault condition may have a correspondingeffect upon the LN2 volume within a particular HTS cable. This increasein volume may cause the cryogenic coolant pressure to increase, andsubsequently, to enter pressure control units 314, 316 and 318. Eachpressure control unit may be constructed out of any suitable material,e.g., stainless steel, and may employ a vacuum insulated environment toreduce heat leak at normal operating conditions.

Each of pressure control units 314, 316 and 318 may be operativelyconnected with a termination associated with a section of HTS cable. Forexample, FIG. 5 depicts three distinct sections of HTS cable denoted byreference numerals 320, 322 and 324. Each section of HTS cable mayinclude a first and second termination. For example, first section ofHTS cable 320 may include first termination 330 and second termination332, second section of HTS cable 322 may include first termination 326and second termination 328 and third section of HTS cable 324 mayinclude first termination 334 and second termination 336. Eachtermination may include a corresponding cryogenic coolant containerdepicted by reference numerals 338, 340, 342, 344, 346 and 348. Eachcryogenic coolant container may be located adjacent at least a portionof its respective termination and may be configured to store cryogeniccoolant such as liquid nitrogen. One example of a superconducting cabletermination is described in Cryogenic Refrigeration System for HTSCables by Ron C. Lee et al., IEEE Transactions on AppliedSuperconductivity, vol. 15, No. 2, June 2005, p. 1788. However,alternative termination designs may be employed as well.

In operation, cryogenic coolant of a particular temperature (e.g., 72K)and pressure (e.g., 18 bar) may be supplied to first HTS cable section320 via refrigeration module 302 and refrigeration module 306. In thisparticular example, at the initial portion of HTS cable section 320 thiscoolant may have a temperature of approximately 72K, a pressure ofapproximately 18 bar and may be flowing at a rate of approximately 5kg/s. Once the coolant approaches second termination 332 of first HTScable 320 the coolant may have undergone a temperature increase, asindicated in FIG. 5 as 74K. The coolant may then leave first HTS cablesection 320 and/or pressure control unit 316 at a second pressure (e.g.,15.1 bar). At this point, the coolant may then enter refrigerationmodule 304 where additional cooling and/or repressurization via pump 310may occur. The original rate of coolant through first HTS cable section320 (i.e., 5 kg/s) may then be approximately cut in half, here,resulting in two coolant streams of approximately 2.5 kg/s, each havingan approximately equal pressure as they enter second section of HTScable 322 and third section of HTS cable 324. Once in HTS cables 322 and324 these two coolant streams may each have a temperature ofapproximately 72K, having undergone a temperature drop from module 304.As the coolant flows through each HTS cable there may be a correspondingtemperature increase (e.g. from 72K to 76K) as the coolant travels alongthe length of the cable. Once the two coolant flows exit second andthird HTS cables 322 and 324 they may enter refrigeration modules 302and 306, respectively, for additional cooling and/or pressurization.These two coolant flows may then combine to form the supply for firstHTS cable section 320.

This configuration provides a number of advantages over some priorimplementations. For example, the utilization of multiple refrigerationmodules allows for an increase in total HTS cable length. Moreover, thisconfiguration may permit the use of standardized refrigeration modules,which may decrease costs associated with individually retrofitteddesigns. In some embodiments, a total cable length of approximately 5000m may be achieved (e.g., using refrigeration modules having a 20 kWoperating capability). However, as expected, an increase in operatingpower of the refrigeration module may permit a longer cable length. Ofcourse, other configurations are also within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another exemplary embodiment of a coolingsystem 400 is shown. Cooling system 400 may include a number ofrefrigeration modules 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 and 412. Eachrefrigeration module may include at least one associated pump 414, 416,418, 420, 422 and 424 and may be configured to supply cryogenic coolantto and/or to receive cryogenic coolant from HTS cable sections. System400 may also include pressure control units 426, 428, 430 and 432, whichmay function in a manner similar to that described in FIG. 5 above. Eachof refrigeration modules 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 and 412 may be in fluidcommunication with at least one section of HTS cable 434, 436, 438, 440,442 and 444. For example, refrigeration module 402 may be in fluidcommunication with HTS cable section 434, refrigeration module 404 maybe in fluid communication with HTS cable section 436, etc.

Each section of HTS cable may include a corresponding termination 446,448, 450, 452, 454 and 456 on one end of the HTS cable section as wellas a corresponding cryogenic coolant container 458, 460, 462, 464, 466and 468. The coolant containers may be similar in configuration to thosedescribed herein. The opposing end, i.e., the end opposing thetermination, of each section of HTS cable may be coupled with a coolingcable joint. In FIG. 6, three cooling cable joints are shown, asindicated by reference numerals 470, 472 and 474. Of course, additionalcooling cable joints, sections of HTS cable, refrigeration modules, etc.may be added or removed from this figure depending upon the length ofHTS cable desired. A more detailed discussion of the structure andoperation of the cooling cable joints and one possible implementation isprovided hereinbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment of a cooling cablejoint 500 is shown. Cooling cable joint 500 may be configured to permitthe re-cooling and re-pressurization of cryogenic coolant located withinat least one section of HTS cable. In some embodiments, the use of oneor more cooling cable joints 500 may allow for the construction andsubsequent operation of long-length HTS cables.

In some embodiments, cooling cable joint 500 may be configured toconnect a first section of HTS cable 502 with a second section of HTScable 504. Cooling cable joint 500 may include, inter alia, an exteriorlayer 506 and an interior layer 508. Layers 506 and 508 may define apassageway configured to permit the flow of coolant therethrough. Theselayers may be constructed out of any number of suitable materials, forexample, in at least one particular embodiment these layers may beconstructed out of stainless steel. However, other materials, such ascopper, are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Exteriorlayer 502 and interior layer 504 of cooling cable joint 500 may define alow pressure area or vacuum therebetween.

Each HTS cable, for example HTS cable 502, may include a plurality oflayers similar, or equivalent to those described herein, for examplethose discussed with reference to FIGS. 2-3. As shown in FIG. 7, HTScable 502 may include dielectric insulation layer 510, HTS wire layer512, and former layer 514. In a corresponding arrangement, HTS cable 504may include similar layers having an equivalent or similarconfiguration.

In some embodiments, HTS wire layer 512 may be in electrical connectionwith a conductive lead 516 at joint 518. In some embodiments, conductivelead 516 may be constructed out of copper, however, other materials arealso envisioned. Conductive lead 516 may be configured to permitconstant electrical connectivity between first section of HTS cable 502and second section of HTS cable 504. Due to the resistive nature ofconductive lead 516 (non-superconducting), a cooling method may beimplemented to remove heat generation. As for example, section of theconductive lead 516 may be designed in such a way so that coolant isallowed to flow to remove the heat generation as shown in FIG. 7.Portions of cooling cable joint 500 may be connected with dielectricinsulation section 520, which may be connected to ground and configuredto withstand the HTS cable operating voltage between conductive lead 516and ground potential. Conductive lead 516 may also include at least oneopening configured to permit the flow of coolant therethrough asdescribed in detail below.

In some embodiments, cooling cable joint 500 may be configured toreceive cryogenic coolant from multiple portions of first section of HTScable 502. For example, as cryogenic coolant is received from HTS cable,a first coolant flow may be created through interior layer 508 andconductive lead 516 of cooling cable joint 500. A second flow of coolantmay flow between former layer 514 of HTS cable 502, to an interiorportion of conductive lead 516, which is shown at joint 518. Theinterior portion of conductive lead 516 may include at least one openingconfigured to allow the combination of the first and second coolantflows. The combined coolant flow may travel through a coolant lineseparate from any of the HTS cable sections. This combined coolant flowmay be sent to at least one refrigeration module for additional coolingand pressurization as necessary via first conduit 522. For example, anyof cryogenic refrigeration modules 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 and 412. Oncethe cryogenic coolant has been properly re-cooled and/or repressurized,the re-cooled coolant may be transferred from the refrigeration moduleand received at second conduit 524 of cooling cable joint 500. At thispoint, the re-cooled and/or repressurized coolant may re-enter coolingcable joint 500 and this coolant may flow through second section of HTScable 504 in a manner similar to that described in the description offirst section of HTS cable 502.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 7, cooling system 400 may utilize coolingcable joints 470, 472 and 474 to increase the length of an HTS cablewhile maintaining substantially the same minimum pressure (e.g., 16 bar)and maximum phase conductor temperature (e.g., 76K) throughout the HTScable's length. In operation, cryogenic coolant may be supplied byrefrigeration modules 402 and 406 to HTS cable section 438. Thecryogenic coolant may flow through HTS cable section 438 until it isreceived at first cable joint 472. As expected, the cryogenic coolantmay undergo a temperature increase along the length of HTS cable section438. The coolant may then enter first cable joint 472, which may have aconfiguration similar to that described in FIG. 7 above (602). Thecoolant may be delivered through first conduit 522 to refrigerationmodule 412, which may be configured to re-cool and/or re-pressurize thereceived coolant. The coolant may then be pumped to second cable joint470 and third cable joint 474. The coolant may be received via secondconduit 524 associated with each of second cable joint 470 and thirdcable joint 474. Once the coolant has been received at cable joints 470and 474, it may flow within HTS cable sections 436 and 444 respectivelyuntil reaching refrigeration modules 404 and 408 for additional coolingand/or re-pressurization via pumps 416 and 420. In the event of a faultcondition and as described above, pressure control units 426, 428, 430and 432 may be utilized to maintain a constant pressure throughout eachof the HTS cable sections.

Upon exiting each of refrigeration modules 404 and 408 the coolant mayform a return line for distribution through cooling joint 472. Thecoolant flow from each of refrigeration modules 404 and 408 may becombined and may flow through HTS cable section 440 until reaching firstcable joint 472 (604). As discussed above, cable joint 472 mayelectrically connect a portion of HTS wire associated with first HTScable section 438 with a portion of HTS wire associated with second HTScable section 440 (606). The return line may continue throughrefrigeration module 410 and pump 422, which may perform additionalre-cooling and re-pressurization as needed. This coolant may then besent to second and third cable joints 470 and 474, as indicated in FIG.6. Cable joint 470 may receive the coolant from refrigeration module 410and may permit the coolant to flow through HTS cable section 434 torefrigeration module 402. Similarly, cable joint 474 may also receivethe coolant from refrigeration module 410 and permit the coolant to flowthrough HTS cable section 442 to refrigeration module 406. Once cooledat refrigeration modules 402 and 406 the two coolant streams may becombined to form the supply line for HTS cable section 438.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

1. A cooling system comprising: a first section of high temperaturesuperconducting (HTS) cable configured to receive a flow of coolantflowing at a first rate and to permit said flow of coolant to flowtherethrough, said flow of coolant undergoing a temperature increase asit passes through said HTS cable; a first refrigeration moduleconfigured to receive said flow of coolant from said first section ofHTS cable and to lower the temperature of said flow of coolant, saidfirst refrigeration module configured to divide said flow of coolantinto a plurality of coolant streams, each coolant stream flowing atapproximately a second rate; a second section of HTS cable configured toreceive at least one of said plurality of coolant streams, said secondsection of HTS cable configured to permit said at least one of saidplurality of coolant streams to flow therethrough; and a third sectionof HTS cable configured to receive said at least one of said pluralityof coolant streams, said third section of HTS cable configured to permitsaid at least one of said plurality of coolant streams to flowtherethrough; wherein said plurality of coolant streams are combined toform said flow of coolant flowing at said first rate.
 2. The coolingsystem of claim 1 further comprising a second refrigeration moduleconfigured to receive said at least one of said plurality of coolantstreams from said second section of HTS cable.
 3. The cooling system ofclaim 2 further comprising a third refrigeration module configured toreceive at least one of said plurality of coolant streams from saidthird section of HTS cable.
 4. The cooling system of claim 3 whereinsaid plurality of coolant streams are output from said second and thirdrefrigeration modules and combined to form said flow of coolant.
 5. Thecooling system of claim 1 further comprising at least one pressurecontrol unit operatively connected with each section of HTS cable, saidat least one pressure control unit configured to maintain a consistentoperating pressure throughout each section of HTS cable.
 6. A cablejoint configured to couple a first section of high temperaturesuperconducting (HTS) cable and a second section of HTS cablecomprising: an exterior layer; an interior layer operatively connectedwith said exterior layer, said interior and exterior layers defining aspace therebetween; a conductive lead configured to electrically connecta portion of HTS wire associated with said first section of HTS cablewith a portion of HTS wire associated with said second section of HTScable; and at least one conduit configured to permit a flow of coolantbetween said cable joint and at least one refrigeration module through acoolant line separate from said first and second sections of HTS cable.7. The cable joint of claim 6 wherein said at least one conduit includesa first conduit configured to supply said flow of coolant to said atleast one refrigeration module and a second conduit configured toreceive said flow of coolant from said at least one refrigeration modulefollowing at least one of re-cooling and re-pressurization.
 8. The cablejoint of claim 6 wherein the space between said interior and exteriorlayer is pressurized.
 9. The cable joint of claim 6 wherein saidinterior layer and said conductive lead define a passageway configuredto permit a first flow of coolant therethrough.
 10. The cable joint ofclaim 9 wherein said conductive lead includes at least one openingconfigured to permit a second flow of coolant therethrough.
 11. Thecable joint of claim 10 wherein said first and second coolant flows arecombined and delivered to at least one refrigeration module.
 12. Thecable joint of claim 6 wherein said conductive lead is constructed outof copper.
 13. A cooling system comprising: a first section of hightemperature superconducting (HTS) cable configured to receive a firstflow of coolant and to permit said first flow of coolant to flowtherethrough; a second section of high temperature superconducting (HTS)cable configured to receive a second flow of coolant and to permit saidsecond flow of coolant to flow therethrough; and a cable jointconfigured to couple said first section of HTS cable and said secondsection of HTS cable, said cable joint in fluid communication with atleast one refrigeration module, said cable joint including at least oneconduit configured to permit a third flow of coolant between said cablejoint and said at least one refrigeration module through a coolant lineseparate from said first and second sections of HTS cable.
 14. Thecooling system of claim 13 wherein said cable joint includes aconductive lead configured to electrically connect a portion of HTS wireassociated with said first section of HTS cable with a portion of HTSwire associated with said second section of HTS cable.
 15. The coolingsystem of claim 13 wherein said at least one refrigeration module isconfigured to receive a combined flow of coolant from said cable jointand to perform at least one of re-cooling and re-pressurizing saidcombined flow of coolant.
 16. A method for cooling high temperaturesuperconducting (HTS) cable comprising: receiving a first flow ofcoolant at a first section of HTS cable and permitting said first flowof coolant to flow therethrough; receiving a second flow of coolant at asecond section of HTS cable and permitting said second flow of coolantto flow therethrough; and coupling said first section of HTS cable andsaid second section of HTS cable via a cable joint, said cable jointelectrically connecting said first and second sections of HTS cable,said cable joint being in fluid communication with at least onerefrigeration module, said cable joint including at least one conduitconfigured to permit a third flow of coolant between said cable jointand said at least one refrigeration module through a coolant lineseparate from said first and second sections of HTS cable.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 wherein electrically connecting includes electricallyconnecting a portion of HTS wire associated with said first section ofHTS cable with a portion of HTS wire associated with said second sectionof HTS cable via said cable joint.
 18. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising receiving a combined flow of coolant from said cable joint atsaid at least one refrigeration module, said refrigeration moduleconfigured to perform at least one of re-cooling and re-pressurizingsaid combined flow of coolant.
 19. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising maintaining a constant pressure throughout each of saidsections of HTS cable via at least one pressure control unit.
 20. Themethod of claim 19 wherein said pressure control unit is configured toreceive and/or dispense a quantity of coolant in the event of a faultcondition.